1. Yellow warning of Wind
Issued at:
1208 on Tue 17 Dec 2013
Valid from:
1600 on Wed 18 Dec 2013
Valid to:
0600 on Thu 19 Dec 2013
Severe gale force winds will affect parts of Northern Ireland, western, central and northern Scotland from late Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are expected in exposed areas, especially around coasts. Gusts in excess of 80 mph are also possible in places, most likely in the far north west of Scotland. The wind will lead to large waves with some coastal over-topping possible. Some heavy rain is also expected. The rain and the strongest winds will clear on Thursday morning, giving way to blustery and wintry showers.
The public should be aware of the potential for disruption, particularly to transport.
A rapidly deepening area of low pressure will pass close to the NW of Scotland during Wednesday night. There is still some uncertainty about the depth and track of this low, but the high gusts, in combination with heavy rain and some coastal flooding, have potential to bring some significant disruption.
2. Yellow warning of Snow
Issued at:
1140 on Tue 17 Dec 2013
Valid from:
0600 on Thu 19 Dec 2013
Valid to:
1200 on Fri 20 Dec 2013
Heavy showers, likely a mix of sleet and hail on coasts and snow inland, will push in on strong to gale force westerly winds from early on Thursday morning through to late Friday morning. Accumulations of 10-20 cm are possible over higher ground and with strong winds some drifting is likely along with blizzard conditions at times. At lower levels 5 cm of snow is possible in places. With these showers there is also the potential for icy stretches to form on the roads.
The public should be aware of potential minor disruption due to the snow and ice.
Following a low pressure system on Wednesday cold air will be pulled into Scotland from the west. Frequent showers will feed into Scotland on strong to gale force westerly winds. These showers will continue through Thursday and Friday morning before dying out from the west ahead of a new low pressure system developing in the Atlantic.
